Spectacles with decorative lens attaching device

ABSTRACT

Spectacles to which a decoration (6) is secured to a predetermined portion of a rim (5) so as not to move. The securing is carried out, for example, by using a linear material (4) which is disposed between the rim (5) and a lens (2).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to spectacles, and in particular, tospectacles having decorations.

BACKGROUND ART

In the spectacles having rims for supporting the peripheral portions ofthe lenses, it has been difficult hitherto to secure decorations to therims because the rims are thin.

The present invention makes it possible to secure decorations to therims and thereby provides spectacles with decorations having highornamental effects.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is characterized by securing a decoration to a rimin spectacles having the rim for fixing lenses.

The decorations are secured to a predetermined portion of the rim so asnot to move.

In addition, the securing of the decorations is carried out by usingelongated flexible material.

Moreover, the securing of the decorations may be also carried out bysoldering, welding or bonding.

Furthermore, the decoration is secured by securing means provided on therim, and the securing means may comprise a structure having an elasticengaging piece which elastically engages the decoration. Additionally,the decoration can be secured by inserting it between the rim andlenses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view which shows the condition in which adecoration is secured to spectacles according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention, FIG. 1 (b) is a perspective view which shows thecondition after the securing, and FIG. 1 (c) is a longitudinal sectionalview of FIG. 1 (b).

FIG. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are a perspective view showing the decoration inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view which shows the condition in which nylon line isfastened by engaging.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion to which a decoration issecured according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 (a) is a side view of the portion to which a decoration issecured according to a third embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 5 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 5 (a).

FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view of a decoration of spectacles accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 (b) and 6(c) are longitudinal sectional views showing the structures for fixingnylon line to a decoration.

FIG. 7 (a) is a perspective view showing the condition in which thedecoration in FIG. 6 is secured, FIG. 7 (b) is a perspective viewshowing the spectacles after the securing, and FIG. 7 (c) is alongitudinal sectional view of the portion to which the decoration ofFIG. 7 (b) is secured.

FIG. 8 (a) is a perspective view showing another decoration according tothe fourth example, and FIG. 8 (b) is a longitudinal sectional viewshowing the condition where the decoration of FIG. 8 (a) is secured.

FIG. 9 (a) is an essential perspective view showing the condition wherethe decoration is secured to spectacles according to a fifth embodimentof the present invention, FIG. 9 (b) is an essential perspective viewshowing after securing, and FIG. 9 (c) is a side view of the decoration.

FIG. 10 (a) is a longitudinal sectional view of a decoration ofspectacles according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 10 (b) is a longitudinal sectional view of a securing base, FIG. 10(c) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the condition where thedecoration is secured, FIG. 10 (d) is a side view after the securing,and FIG. 10 (e) is a side view after the securing using a securing basedifferent from that shown in FIG. 10 (b).

FIG. 11 (a)-(l) are partial perspective views showing examples ofdecorations for spectacles according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 12 (a)-(d) are a view showing a full-rim type of spectacles withdecorations.

FIG. 13 (a) is a front view showing an essential portion of thespectacle frame with the front surface of the front being directedupward, and the FIG. 13 (b) is a view showing an essential portion ofthe spectacle frame with the front surface of the front being directedupward.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the spectacle frame of FIG.13.

FIG. 15 is a front view showing an essential portion of the spectacleframe to which another precious stone is secured, with the front surfaceof the front being directed upward.

FIG. 16 (a)-(g) are a view showing an embodiment where a decoration issecured by inserting it between a rim and a lens.

BEST MODE FOR PRACTICE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be explained in detail hereunder withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 represent a first embodiment, in which spectacles 1includes lenses 2 fixed to a rim 5 by engaging nylon line or wire 4 as aflexible securing material with and around a groove 3 cut along theperiphery of the lens 2.

An object 6 is a decoration to be secured to the rim 5, and thedecoration 6 is hemispherical and has two holes 7 at a predeterminedinterval on the end surface. The holes 7 are communicated with eachother via a circular passage 71 in the decoration 6. The form of thepassage 71 is not limited to the circular form.

On the other hand, the rim 5 has two holes 8 in a longitudinal directionto be secured to the lens 2 by the nylon line 4, the holes 8 beingpresent in the position to which the decoration 6 is secured and theinterval between the holes 8 is almost the same as that between theholes 7 of the decoration 6.

The securing of the decoration 6 to the rim 5 is carried out, as shownin FIG. 1, by passing the nylon line 4 through one hole 8 of the rim 5,then inserting the nylon line 4 to one hole 7 of the decoration 6,drawing out the line 4 from the other hole 7 via the passage 71 andpassing the line through the other hole 8 of the rim 5. Thereafter, asshown in FIG. 3, the one end of the nylon line 4 is made hook-shaped,and engaged with and fixed to an engaging portion 10 of the outer endportion of a rim-bar 9 provided along the upper portion of the lens 2,so that the rim 5 is fastened to the lens 2 and the lens 2 is supportedto the rim 5.

In the spectacles having the above structure, since the decoration 6 issecured by using the nylon line 4 for fixing the lens 2, the fixingoperation of the lens 2 and the securing operation of the decoration 6can be carried out simultaneously so that the number of the operationsteps for manufacturing spectacles can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the decoration 6 is secured to the rim 5 by using thenylon line 4, a portion of the nylon line 4 for fastening the rim 5,which is uncovered in conventional spectacles, can be covered by thedecoration 6, so that the design appears to be neat.

Moreover, since the nylon line 4 is passed along the periphery of thelens 2 via the holes 8 of the rim 5, the holes 7 of the decoration 6 andthe passage 71 to fix the lens 2 to the rim 5, the bending angle of thenylon line 4 is increased in comparison with the prior art (cf. FIG. 12(b)), as shown in FIG. 1 (c), so that the frictional force at theportion A where the nylon line 4 is contacted is increased and thepossibility of the slippage of the nylon line 4 is made small. For thisreason, the lens fixing strength can be improved.

The decoration 6 can be provided with a pair of leaves 11, as shown inFIG. 2 (b).

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment, and in this embodiment, the decoration6 is in a beading form in which three beads 11 are arranged, the beads11 having perforations 12, and being secured to the rim 5 by passing thenylon line 4 through the perforations 12. The other structure andoperation of this second embodiment are substantially the same as thoseof the first embodiment, so the like reference numerals are added toportions corresponding to those of the first embodiment and theexplanation thereof is now omitted.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment, and in this embodiment, the decoration6 has a securing base 13, the sectional view of the securing base 13being in a form of a concave body and the closing portion 13A having twoopenings 13B at a predetermined interval. A stone 14 which is oval, ifit is seen from the front, and the sectional view of which is circular,is mounted in the securing base 13 with a space corresponding to thediameter of the nylon line 4. The stone 14 is not limited to thedescribed form.

The securing of the decoration 6 with the securing base 13 to the rim 5is carried out by passing the nylon line 4 through one hole 8 of the rim5, then putting it to one opening 13B of the securing base 13, passingit through the space between the stone 14 and the securing base 13,drawing it out from the other opening 13B and then passing it throughthe other hole 8 of the rim 5. The other structure and operation of thisthird embodiment are substantially the same as those in the firstembodiment, so the like reference numerals are added to portionscorresponding to those of the first embodiment and the explanationthereof is now omitted.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 represent a fourth embodiment, and in this embodiment,the decoration 6 is hemispherical and has a flange and one hole 15 atsubstantially the central portion of the end surface of the decoration6, so that the decoration 6 is secured by inserting the one end of thenylon line 4 into the hole 15. FIG. 6 (b) shows the decoration 6 inwhich the nylon line 4 having the enlarged end is inserted into andfixed to the hole 15, and FIG. 6 (c) shows the decoration 6 where thehook-shaped end of the nylon line 4 is engaged with, and fixed to, anengaging portion 15A in the hole 15.

On the other hand, the rim 5 has one hole 8 at a position for securingthe decoration 6, as shown in FIG. 7 (a).

The securing of the decoration 6 to the rim 5 is carried out by onlypassing the other end of the nylon line 4 through the hole 8 of the rim5, as shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, the nylon line 4 is passed along theperiphery of the lens 2, engaged and secured on the side of the bridge,as described in the first embodiment, so that the rim 5 is fastened tothe lens 2 and the lens 2 is supported to the rim 5. The adjustment ofthe length of the nylon line 4 is carried out on the side of the bridge.

According to such structure, a fastening portion of the rim 5 by thenylon line 4 is covered with the decoration 6 so that the design becomessimple.

Furthermore, since the rim 5 is formed with only one hole 8, thestrength of the rim 5 can be improved. Moreover, since the number of thehole 8 is one, the probability that the nylon line 4 is broken is madesmall, making it difficult to break the nylon line 4, in comparison withthe case where the nylon line 4 is passed through two holes 8.

Since the rim 5 is formed with one hole, the steps of the manufacturethereof are reduced in comparison with the case where two holes areformed. Thereby, the cost can be reduced.

Furthermore, the construction in a retail shop becomes easy.

In this embodiment, there may be adapted a decoration 6 of the typehaving a longitudinally cut half cylindrical shape which is capable ofsurrounding the rim 5, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment, which is similar to the fourthembodiment, except that the decoration 6 is a metal ornament in a formof flower petals and has an opening 17 at substantially the centralportion thereof. The nylon line 4 has a ball 18 at its one end which isformed by heating, etc., and the other end of the nylon line 4 is passedthrough the opening 17 of the decoration 6 and the hole 8 of the rim 5,so that the decoration is engaged with the rim 5 by the ball 18 of thenylon line 4.

The decoration 6 of a metal ornament in a form of petals providessomewhat three-dimensional appearance so as to cover the ball 18 of thenylon line 4. The nylon line 4 may have a projection instead of the ball18.

The securing of various metal ornaments of such a flower motif, etc.enriches the simple design. The other structure and operation aresubstantially the same as those in the fourth embodiment, so that thelike reference numerals are added to portions corresponding to those ofthe fourth embodiment and the explanation thereof is now omitted.

FIG. 10 shows the sixth embodiment, and in this embodiment, the nylonline 4 having a ball 18 shown in the fifth embodiment is processed byheating, etc. to make the round ball 18, and the round ball 18 used asit is as a decoration 6, and to the securing base 13 shown in the thirdembodiment, the opening 13B is formed at substantially the centralportion of a closing portion 13A, and the round ball 18 as a decoration6 is secured via the opening 13B. The round ball 18 may be colored.

FIG. 11 shows a number of examples of the decoration 6 according to theaforementioned embodiments. FIG. 11 (a) shows a decoration comprising astone 14, the sectional view of which is oval. FIG. 11 (b) shows adecoration comprising the plural number of precious stones. FIGS. 11 (c)and (d) show decorations which cover the end of the rim 5, and accordingto such structure, the decoration is secured to the end, that is, thecut end, so that a danger is prevented and the design is enriched. FIG.11 (c) shows a decoration of metal having a patterned surface, and FIG.11 (d) shows a decoration having a seven treasures. FIG. 11 (e) shows adecoration in which a stone 14 is suspended to a base 19 which isattached to the rim 5, and, since the decoration is secured to the end,a danger is prevented and the design is enriched, similar to thedecorations in FIGS. 11 (c) and (d). FIG. 11 (f) shows a decorationsecured to the ornamental rim 5. FIG. 11 (g) shows a decoration securedto the metal-carved rim 5. FIG. 11 (h) shows a decoration having anornamental securing base 13. FIG. 11 (i) shows a decoration with chain.FIG. 11 (j) shows the decoration of FIG. 11 (e) in which the base 19 ismetal-ornamental, and FIGS. 11 (k) and (l) show decorations 6 of metalwhich have such size as protruding from the rim 5 and arethree-dimensional.

In the above examples, the securing by using the nylon line 4 as aflexible securing material is explained as an example, but the metalwire can be used if the wire is flexible. The securing, where a flexiblesecuring material is passed along the groove formed in the lens 2 tosecure the lens 2, is explained as an example, but it is possible toform a groove in a bendable securing material in a wide form and toinsert the lens into the groove and fix the lens.

FIG. 12 represents a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a decoration 26 is secured to the rim 25 of afull-rim type of spectacles by using a nylon line 24.

In this embodiment, the nylon line 24 is placed between a rim 25 and alens 22 and extends round the lens, and the decoration 26 is secured tothe securing end portion of the nylon 24. The both ends thereof areplaced at a connecting end portion 27 of the rim 25, but can be placedat any position.

Furthermore, any elongated material can be applied if it has a strengthnecessary for the securing, instead of the nylon line 26.

If a soft material is used, an interference between the lens 22 and therim 25 can be prevented and the breaking of the lens 22, etc. can beprevented.

Since the nylon line 24 is placed between the lens 22 and the rim 25, agroove 28 into which the nylon line 24 is inserted may be formed on theperiphery of the lens 22, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), or a groove 28 may beformed on the inside of the rim 25, as shown in FIG. 12 (d). If thesectional form of the nylon line 24 is flat and thin, it is notnecessary to form the groove 28.

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 represents an eighth embodiment of the presentinvention.

In these figures, a securing means 34 for securing a precious stone as adecoration to a front surface 33 of a front rim 32 of a frame 31 of thespectacles and a precious stone 35 secured by the securing means 4 areshown.

The shape of the precious stone 35 will be explained, with the frontsurface 33 of the front 32 to which the precious stone 35 is securedbeing directed upward (cf. FIG. 13 (a)).

A base 36 of the precious stone 5 which abuts against the front surface33 of the front rim is provided with a regular dodecagon shape. Thestone has a taper form widening upward from the sides of the regulardodecagon from the base 36 up to the certain height position referred toas a bent position 37 and has a taper form narrowing from the bentposition 37 up to an upper surface 38 of the precious stone 35. Theouter side surface of the precious stone 35 from the position where theprecious stone 35 abuts against the front surface 33 of the front up tothe bent position 37 is referred to as a lower side surface 39, and theouter surface from the bent position 37 up to the upper surface of theprecious stone 35 is referred to as an upper side surface 10.

Next, the securing means 34 will be explained. The material of thesecuring means 34 is a material having the rigidity capable of insertingthe precious stone 35 and securing the precious stone 35 afterinserting.

The securing means 34 comprises six claws 311, and the claws 311 areattached to the front surface 33 of the front by means of soldering soas to be along the contour of the precious stone 35 with equalintervals. Next, the shape of the catches 311 will be explained, withthe front surface 33 of the front being directed upward (cf. FIG. 13(a)). The claw 311 has a taper form widening along the lower sidesurface 39 of the precious stone 35 from the attached portion 312 wherethe claw 311 is attached to the front 32 up to about the height of thebent position 37 of the precious stone 35, and a taper form narrowingalong the upper side surface 310 of the precious stone 35 from about thebent position 37 up to the top portion 313 where the claw 311 ispositioned highest. The claw 311 has a sharp supporting portion 314 in ataper form narrowing toward the lower part from the top portion 313 ofthe claw 311, and the supporting portion part 314 reaches the positionwhere the supporting portion 314 abuts against the upper side surface310 of the precious stone 5. The upper surface of the supporting portion314 in a taper form of the claw 311 is a guide surface 315 which acts asa guide for inserting the precious stone 35.

The periphery of the opening formed by the top portions 313 of the claws311 is smaller than the periphery of the precious stone 35 at the bentposition 37.

In the spectacles having the above-described structure, when theprecious stone 35 is inserted into the securing means 34, the lower sidesurface 39 of the precious stone 35 is first abutted against the guidesurface 315 of the securing means 34, so that the precious stone 35 ismounted on the securing means 34. The precious stone 35 is then pressedfrom the upside, so that the precious stone 35 is guided down into thecondition in which the guide surfaces 315 of the securing means 34 andthe lower side surface 39 of the precious stone 35 in a taper form aresuitably contacted. Then, while the lower surface 39 of the preciousstone 35 in a taper form widening upward is pressed down, the guidesurfaces 315 widening upward which abuts against it are widened bypressure toward the outside with being subjected to the elasticitytoward the inside by the rigidity of the securing means 34. Thus, theprecious stone 35 is inserted into the securing means 34. Then, when theperiphery of the bent position 37 of the precious stone 35 accords withthe periphery formed by each of the top portions 313 of the claw of thesecuring means, the securing means 34 is in a condition of being mostwidened toward the outside. Then, the precious stone 35 is furtherpressed down from this condition, the pointed ends of the supportingparts 314 of the securing means 34 abut against the upper side surface310 of the precious stone 35. Since the upper side surface 310 of theprecious stone 35 is in a form of narrowing upward, the securing means34 rapidly returns to the inside by the rigidity, so that the upper sidesurface 310 of the precious stone 35 is guided in a condition where itis contacted to the pointed end of the supporting portion 314 and thebase 36 of the precious stone 35 is come down to the position where itabuts against the front surface 33 of the front 32 and then stopped. Atthis time, the securing means 34 returns to the initial condition by therigidity, and the pointed ends of the supporting part 314 of thesecuring means 34 abuts against the upper side surface 310 of theprecious stone by its elasticity toward the inside so that the preciousstone 35 is firmly secured.

In the spectacles having such structure described above, the preciousstone 35 can be easily secured to the frame 31 of the spectacles only byinserting it to the securing means 34 without processing such ascutting, etc. of the precious stone 35. Additionally, once it isinserted, the supporting portions 314 of the securing means 34 stronglysecures it by its elasticity so that the precious stone 35 can beprevented from falling off.

Furthermore, a precious stone having various forms or sizes can besecured by changing the height of the claw 311 of the securing means 34,the angle of the tapering portion of the claw 311, or the angle of theguide surface 315 of the supporting portion 314 of the securing means34. For example, when the precious stone 35 is in a form of a column, itis advisable to adjust the height of the securing means 34 so that thepointed ends of the supporting parts 314 of the securing means 34 abutagainst the upper surface 38 of the precious stone 35.

In the above-described embodiment, since the precious stone the sidesurface of which has a dodecagonal shape is used, six claws are providedso that the supporting portions 314 abut against the surface 312 everyother surface, but the number thereof is not limited as far as thesupporting portions 314 abut against at least three points of the sidesurface of the precious stone 35. In order to completely prevent it frombeing shaken or falling off, it is desirable that the number isincreased to some degree. Furthermore, in order to improve a sense ofbeauty, it is desirable to decide the number so that the arrangement ofthe claws is symmetrical.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the securing means 34 isprovided to the front 32 of the frame of the spectacles, but it ispossible to attach them at any position if there is on the outer sidesurface of the frame of the spectacles.

Furthermore, when a larger precious stone is secured, it is advisable toform a concave portion in the frame, into which the base to the preciousstone is fitted, in order to completely prevent it from being shaken.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the precious stone isused as a decoration, but it is not limited to the precious stone, sothat it is possible to secure other accessories.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the securing means 34 isattached to the frame 31 of the spectacles by soldering, but if thesecuring means 34 and the frame 31 of the spectacles are monolithicallyformed, the manufacturing steps can be simplified, a trouble formanufacturing can be saved and the manufacturing cost becomes decreased.

FIG. 16 represents a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

The figure shows securing of a decoration 43 to the rim of the full-rimtype of spectacles 40 so as to insert the decoration 43 between the rim41 and the lens 42.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), an inserting portion 44monolithically formed to the decoration 43 is inserted between the rim41 and the lens 42, and the rim is clamped to secure the decoration. Therim 41 can be formed so as to provide a groove 41a corresponding to aprojection 42a formed on the periphery of the lens 42, as shown in FIGS.16 (c) and (d).

Furthermore, the decoration 43 may be secured by soldering 45, welding46, adhesion 47, etc., as shown in FIG. 16 (e), (f), (g).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the spectacles with decorations according to thepresent invention is useful for adjusting visual acuity or assunglasses, and in particular, has an easy securing and is suitable toimprove the ornamental effects.

We claim:
 1. Spectacles comprising a pair of lenses, a spectacle framebody having rigid rim portions containing opposed interior and exteriorsurfaces, each of the lenses being disposed along one portion thereofagainst a cooperating portion of the rim portions, a flexible lensholding member extending under tension around another portion of each ofthe lenses for securing each of the lenses to the frame body portions,hole means formed in the spectacle frame body for passing an associatedflexible lens holding member, at least one end of the associatedflexible lens holding member defining a terminal fastening portionthereof, and a decorative member containing a concealed interior passagereceiving the terminal fastening portion of the lens holding member forsecuring the decorative member in an exposed position to the exteriorsurface of the frame body.
 2. Spectacles according to claim 1, whereinsaid hole means comprises a pair of adjacent holes and the terminalfastening portion of the flexible lens holding member passes through theholes to form a loop disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the rimportion between the holes, and said decorative member contains aU-shaped passage and a pair of holes defining the respective ends ofsaid passage, said holes facing the holes of the rim portion to receivethe terminal fastening portion of the flexible lens holding member andconceal the loop formed therein.
 3. Spectacles according to claim 2,including a plurality of decorative members, each provided withthrough-holes respectively through which the loop portion of theflexible lens holding member extends.
 4. Spectacles according to claim1, wherein the terminal fastening portion comprises an end portion ofthe flexible lens holding member, said hole means comprises a singlehole formed in the rim portion, and the flexible lens holding memberpasses through the hole from the interior surface of said frame body tothe exterior side thereof.
 5. Spectacles according to claim 4, whereinsaid flexible lens holding member includes engaging means retained bythe decorative member.
 6. Spectacles according to claim 5, wherein saidengaging means is exposed outside of the decorative member. 7.Spectacles according to claim 6, wherein the exposed portion of theengaging means constitutes a portion of the decorative member.